Senators represent special interests, not constituents

The recent rejection by the United States Senate of even voting on a measure to require background checks for firearms purchases outside of gun dealerships despite overwhelming (some polls said 90 percent plus) approval by the American public begs the question: in our representative form of government, do senators today represent their constituents, or special interests? Are they so concerned about primary challenges and/or fundraising for their re-election efforts that they reject the clear wishes of their constituents? Sadly, the answer has become painfully obvious, which is why the measure was filibustered by solid red state senators rather than having a vote on the record. Senators don’t want their constituents to actually have a public record showing that they were sold out.

This was true even though the chief rabid defender of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre, appeared to be less and less stable as the debate progressed. Immediately after the Sandy Hook tragedy, he laid low for a few days, presumably to prepare a well-thought-out response. The result: we need more guns at schools. On to Round Two. Despite having testified before Congress in a previous incarnation that the NRA actually wanted more extensive background checks (as opposed to an assault weapons ban), LaPierre now is strongly opposed to those same measures. He gives the inconsistent arguments that a) background checks don’t work, and b) those same background checks that don’t work are going to be used by the government to come to your house and take your guns. Huh?? In one interview, he claimed it would be an undue burden on lawful gun owners to limit ammo magazines from 30 to 10. When the interviewer referenced the eleven children at Sandy Hook who escaped when the shooter finally had to reload, LaPierre’s reply was that it only took a second to change out a clip. Well then Wayne, explain again why it would be an undue burden to limit clip sizes? Cost? There is no Second Amendment right to the least expensive ammo option, is there?

When the filibuster was official, President Obama advised citizens to keep pressuring their members of Congress on gun control. Respectfully, Mr. President, the Senate just showed us that they don’t care what the people want. A recent Twitter user put it best: “The Sandy Hook parents were in the Senate gallery because they thought the democratic process worked. Wayne LaPierre wasn’t because he knows it doesn’t.”